Astrology-inspired practices for self-care and self-discovery In November

Dear Magic Makers,

November is a month of depth and transformation, but also a time for moving forward with the plans we’ve been making until now. The first two weeks carry us through the dark waters of Scorpio and challenge us to stay grounded during the Taurus Eclipse, while the second part of the month encourages us to open up to new and exciting possibilities. Here are a few practices that can help you make the most of November’s transits:

Befriend Your Nervous System:
Total Lunar Eclipse in Taurus

On the 8th, a supercharged Full Moon in Taurus brings destined changes and helps us align with the best versions of ourselves. As good as that sounds, Eclipse seasons are usually destabilizing in one way or another: our certainties are put to the test, our lives are being shaped and reshaped according to a plan we can’t entirely understand, and we’re often still in the dark about what to do next. 

Because it takes place in Taurus, the sign that rules the material plane, this Lunar Eclipse can connect us with the potent medicine of our bodies, especially as a healing tool in times of uncertainty. Here are a few ideas…

Notice your autonomic states

The autonomic nervous system is a network of nerves that regulates bodily functions such as blood pressure and breathing. Why is this important? Because our emotional state is strongly connected to our physiological responses: it’s difficult to calm down or have a positive mindset if our hearts are beating fast, our breathing is shallow, and our bodies are receiving signals of danger. Noticing our autonomic states can help us identify how we feel and what we need to do to reground ourselves.

Shifts in the autonomic nervous system trigger three main autonomic states:

- The “fight and flight” response. As mammals, we’ve evolved to rapidly identify danger in the environment and find solutions for survival. We’ve learned to either fight (in our days, this response translates to anger, frustration, and a feeling of pressure) or flight (this state is associated with worry, panic, and a tendency to avoid certain situations or emotions). 

Even if the wild animals that threatened our ancestors are no longer a danger, we’re still primed to detect unsafe situations, from negative feedback to the possibility of rejection from a loved one. The fight and flight response is essential for our survival; however, if it becomes a chronic state, it puts a strain on our physical and emotional health. 

For example, if you’re always focusing on the next item on your to-do list and finding it hard to relax, you might be in a “fight” mode. If you’re worrying about the future and having difficulties connecting with the present moment, your autonomic nervous system might be in the “flight” mode. Both states are associated with poor digestion and a lower immune response.

- The “freeze” response. When we feel powerless in a challenging situation, we’re depressed, hopeless, and dissociated. As a survival response, our bodies conserve energy and make it difficult for us to actively engage in life. 

For example, if you’ve been criticized as a child and you felt ashamed and helpless, you might feel sad, detached, or experience brain fog whenever you receive negative feedback as an adult. This is when your autonomic nervous system might enter a “freeze” state to protect you.

- The “rest and digest” response. This state promotes safety and social engagement. Our bodies are relaxed, no longer guided by the compulsion to act immediately or to run away. In this calm state, we feel curious and playful. Our digestion works well and our immune systems are strong. Because we see no need to be on the guard, it’s easy for us to trust others and express empathy and compassion. 

A few examples: you can be in the “rest and digest” state when you’re watching a movie, when you’re engaged in a hobby, or when you’re cuddling with a loved one.  

Especially during the Eclipse season, noticing your autonomic states and identifying the contexts that trigger them can be a powerful tool for self-transformation. Our tip: make a list of situations that activate each response and set the intention to identify your reactions in the following weeks. When do you feel stressed out, frustrated, and unable to relax? What makes you shut down and what helps you come back to a state of calm and connection?

Make a list of activities that help you feel grounded

The “rest and digest” state brings an upward spiral of mental, emotional, and social growth: when we feel safe in our bodies and in the world around us, we can direct our energy toward learning new things and connecting with others, creating more satisfaction and happiness in the process. 

During challenging astrological transits, we can often enter a fight-or-flight state, doing our best to make sense of things if we feel threatened by the uncertainty of major changes. This is why it’s important to stay grounded during this Eclipse season, especially around the 8th, when the sensitive Moon meets up with restless Uranus in Taurus for a show-stopping Eclipse.

For one week, notice your everyday activities and write down your favorite moments. When does your body feel completely relaxed? When do you feel at peace and connected with what is happening in the present moment? Perhaps when you’re…

• taking a relaxing bath
• curling up in bed with a cup of tea and your favorite book
• spending time in nature
• laughing with friends
• hugging your partner
• feeling motivated and engaged at work
• meditating
• dancing
• …or doing any other activity that helps you feel active, curious, calm, and centered. 

Our tip: focus less on how a certain activity should make you feel and more on how you experience it viscerally in the present moment. For example, watching a movie can be relaxing, but it could also feel overstimulating if you need mental rest or stressful if you’re doing it to avoid other activities.

To get in touch with your body, you can burn the Harmony Reiki Herbal Pillar Candle while you write your list and repeat an intention of peace and flow. When you feel like you’re embodying this state of calm, you can choose one or two activities from your list and schedule them or simply set the intention to do them more often in the following week.

Be kind to yourself: You’re doing your best.

Noticing our autonomic reactions can take time, especially because most of us have been taught to listen to our minds more than we listen to our bodies. Especially during the Eclipse season, it’s time to take it easy and treat ourselves with a little more compassion than usual.

Intentional Living: Sagittarius Season

Some astrologers believe that our evolutionary purpose is to move from a lunar to a solar way of living. While the Moon rules automatic responses, subconscious hang-ups, and karmic patterns, the Sun is our conscious will, our inner light, and our creative power. By working with our Moon – becoming more aware of our fears, our family conditioning, and our automatic reactions – we can learn how to embody our Sun and become more of who we are.

A great way to move away from the influence of our subconscious mind and become conscious creators of our lives is to practice intentional living: the art of designing our days according to our values and beliefs. On November 22nd, the Sun enters Sagittarius, the sign of adventure, excitement, spirituality, and belief, while an expansive New Moon in this broad-minded sign brings one of the best times of the year to make bold plans and manifest our desires on the 23rd. In this friendly and growth-promoting cosmic context, intentional living can be a powerful tool that helps us take our lives to the next level. 

Here are a few simple ways to use the power of intention for shaping your everyday life this Sagittarius season:

Write down your values and notice how they’re reflected in your daily choices

If you value knowledge, do you take time to read or learn something interesting every day? If friendship is a top priority for you, how often do you connect with your best friends? Noticing how you embody your values in everyday life can trigger meaningful insights. You can realize where you’re proud of yourself for doing what’s important to you and where you can reprioritize and adjust your schedule to do more of what you value.

Set an intention every morning

It’s easy to get lost in the flow of everyday life and allow the little things to get the best of us. A daily intention changes everything: when we’re clear on what we want, it’s easier to stay centered! For example, setting an intention of compassion can help us navigate conflicts, while an intention to breathe consciously throughout the day can help us ground ourselves during busy times. Extra advantage: when you know what you want, it’s much easier for the Universe to deliver!

If you want to get creative and allow the Universe to guide your intentions, we recommend pulling out a card from the Transcendent Journeys Oracle or the Secret Language of Light Oracle every morning and visualizing your entire day based on the message you receive. Throughout the day, you can often realize that this message is what you needed to hear the most.

End your day in a meaningful way 

Consciously reflecting on our days can help us move beyond the feeling that it’s all happening too fast and balance out the mind’s tendency to focus on the negative. Keeping a gratitude journal and counting our blessings can lift our spirits up and help us end the day on a high note. Whether you’re writing things down or making a short mental list before bed, this practice can help you connect with the joyful and expansive energy of Sagittarius. 

Another way to harness this sign’s optimistic spirit is to make a list of the day’s achievements and celebrate yourself for your progress, especially if you usually don’t give yourself enough credit. A successful work project can be an accomplishment, but meditating for five minutes or taking a deep breath and thinking twice before reacting to a trigger can also be an important step forward. Taking things one day at a time is the best recipe for intentional living.

Visualize your future: Jupiter Direct in Pisces

What happens when Jupiter, the planet of luck and abundance, goes direct in Pisces, the sign of faith and imagination? You’ve guessed it – this transit is a blazing green light that supports us to move forward in life and make our dreams come true. Starting from the 23rd, Jupiter direct encourages us to build a renewed vision for the future and manifest our wishes based on what we’ve been adjusting and reconsidering in the past months. 

To make the most of this transit’s lush energy, our advice is to focus on visualization in the second part of November. In what area of your life are things picking up speed at this time? For more details, you can look at where the end of Pisces and the beginning of Aries falls in your birth chart. This is your ticket to success! 

Here are a few tips on how to co-create with the Universe in this area:

Imagine the best possible outcome

Engage your senses

Tap into your emotions

This November, what kind of future are you preparing for?